Bank robber armed with pipe bomb targeting OC

A bank robbery suspect believed to be linked to two heists in Orange County is shown in surveillance images.

September 26, 2012 12:00:00 AM PDT

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. --

A search is under way for a man who is suspected of targeting two Orange County banks.

The first robbery happened April 6 at a U.S. Bank at 13900 Seal Beach Blvd. in Seal Beach. Police say the suspect brandished a handgun and placed what he claimed was a pipe bomb on a table inside the bank. He fled the bank with the device and an undisclosed amount of cash. He was seen running from the bank through the parking lot.

Police believe the same man walked into a Chase bank at 12555 Valley View St. in Garden Grove Sept. 22 and struck again. Similar to the Seal Beach heist, the suspect showed a bank employee what appeared to be an explosive device. He then demanded money and forced the worker into the bank's safe. The suspect left the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect was described as a white male between 25 and 35 years old with a thin build. During the Seal Beach incident, he was seen wearing a beige baseball cap and a plaid jacket. During the Garden Grove incident, he was seen wearing a blue baseball hat, a beige long-sleeve shirt and jeans.

If you have any information regarding these cases, you're urged to contact the Garden Grove Police Department at (714) 741-5340.